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Comment by paganel | Hacker News Reader

Very interesting, but also needed a mention of the crazy "discesista" that was Paolo Savoldelli [1], I think he won a Giro one year based on a crazy descent like that.

In his case I don't think it was only a question of aerodynamics, it never is, it was also that he seemed to know best how much risks he could take when entering a curve (similar to how Formula 1 cars used to be in the past, nowadays they're too "computerized" for that to matter that much anymore).

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4Kd8XIKoiY&feature=youtu.be...

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You bring to mind memories of Sean “King” Kelly aggressively descending the Poggio, overcoming a 15 second deficit to win Milan Sanremo in 1992:

https://www.eurosport.com/cycling/re-cycle-when-sean-kelly-s...

Same race, different descent, different era, but this was also an eye popping descent

Niccolo Bonifazio descending the cipressa https://youtu.be/Wb5G-18YLeI

He is one of my favourite all time descenders on the road. Absolutely fearless and precise. I wish professional road cycling gave the discipline of descending the respect it deserves.

Good point. Case in point: Cancellara's masterful descent here [1]. It's one of the least aerodynamic (I'm certain I can get more aero on a straight descent), but I would get dropped hard on the first curve. Especially on curvy descents, it's all about taking the right line at the right speed. But I am happy to see Froome's position is not even that aero. It certainly looked unstable.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxXqQqAc2pA

Aerodynamics isn't worth worrying about until your lines are near perfect.

But if your aerodynamics changes too much, then so will your lines.

The skill of these "descent specialists" always reminds me of racing skateboards down hills, which is a combination of the "descent aerodynamics" of cycling and the "edge of grip" of racing cars.

I participated for a while, and it is a really fun way to access the "edge of grip" of racing cars, which isn't really accessible in cycling (bicycles don't often survive a loss of traction on the front wheel!)

If you're interested, here is a nice intro [1] to the sport, and an example of a [2] final race heat in a European Alp setting, with similar aerials to cycling coverage. The skill is the combination of drafting, strategy, cornering and straight line speed.

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnzch12ntag [2] https://youtu.be/NQbyutzJbsQ?t=225

Geez, as a non-skateboarding high-speed snowboarder, those are nerve-wracking to watch.

First video reminds me of inline skates parallel slide on the crappy asphalt I've done while "in the zone". From downhill to full stop, no protection at all, perfect control, extremely happy that slided with wheels not with face.

Love this :) Let’s not put aside the fact that F1 drivers spend days testing courses on simulators, so they know exactly what speed they can handle corners at.

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